POLICE MATTERS — Of all the posters, photos, news clippings and other notices hung on the walls inside the records office of the Cheektowaga police station, a new one stands out.

Evidently, the records employee of the year is Samantha Stroud, daughter of Detective Joseph Stroud. What makes it funny, is that underneath that announcement is the footnote that Sgt. David Filipski chose Stroud over his own son, Jeff.

I assume it was Jeff Filipski who wrote in red ink on the poster “Are you kidding me?” next to Stroud’s name.

“PHIL? PHIL CONNORS?” — While it may not be the commercial juggernaut that Christmas has become, Groundhog Day is one of the most fun holidays we celebrate each year. After all, it sure beats Arbor Day.

And if you live outside Punxsutawney, Pa., there is only one way to mark the occasion, by watching the Bill Murray classic “Groundhog Day” over and over and over again. Who knows, if you watch it enough times, maybe the ending will change.

WHAT’S IN A NAME? — The greatest aspect of life as a journalist is the opportunity to meet and interact with interesting people.

One thing I have done over the years is keep tabs on the great names I have come across through my job. Very often in Cheektowaga, names include 12 consonants and one vowel, leaving me speechless on the proper pronunciation. But there are plenty of other interesting names out there, too.

For instance, I met John Connor this week. “Terminator” fans undoubtedly recognize the name as the savior of mankind and the target of human-killing robots like the T-800 Model 101.

But this John Connor wasn’t running for his life from Arnold Schwarzenegger. No, he’s a technology teacher at Cleveland Hill High School. And he was born before the movie franchise started, so you can’t blame his parents for naming him after a movie character.

Then there is the West Seneca East High School junior Austin Powers, who was born just prior to the release of the “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” in 1997. Imagine growing up and listening to people quote movie lines to you every day just because of your name.

I’ve also met three people named Michael Myers, who was of course the murderer in the “Halloween” movie franchise.

Movies aside, one of my best friends is Mike Weber. No, not the Buffalo Sabres defenseman. He’s an electrical engineer in Ellicottville. And his father is Mike Weber, too.

GET YOUR FISH — The observance of Lent begins Feb. 22, and with it comes numerous fish fry dinners sponsored by churches and community groups. The Bee will publish a list of these Lenten fish dinners, which can be kept for reference in the weeks ahead, in the Feb. 15 and 16 editions. We will not publish fish fry announcements after that week.

The deadline to submit fish fry listings will be 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10. Paid advertisements for these events will be accepted at any time. For advertising information, call 204-4937.